Oldham cancels six licence reviews

Oldham has cancelled licence review hearings at six bars that it expects will "voluntarily" agree to new restrictions on trading.

The council had controversially threatened to review licences at 22 town centre venues, and force draconian restrictions such as post office-style bar queues.

Four venues, including two run by JD Wetherspoon, had already struck deals with the council to avoid reviews. For example, Wetherspoon agreed to run risk assessments of promotions.

Cllr Mark Alcock said: "I am very pleased to confirm that we currently have four bars — the JD Wetherspoons' Squire Knott and Up Steps Inn, plus The Lounge and Blu 62 — all signed up to voluntary new licensing agreements.

"We have also now cancelled the scheduled hearings for six other bars who are currently in negotiation with the council and we anticipate they will soon sign agreements with us.

"Each bar is considered in its own right and there are individual agreements in place that will differ in their exact terms from venue to venue.

"During these discussions we have found that most bar owners share the same aims as ourselves in taking this action. This is all further welcome news in our bid to end the culture of irresponsible cheap drinks promotions in Oldham town centre."

Noctis executive director Paul Smith, who met Oldham officials this week, said: "There are plenty of people we know on that list [of bars] that won't agree conditions. They would rather have their day in court."

Meanwhile, Smith said the plan to set up a Best Bar None (BBN) scheme in the town is "about as confirmed as it could be" after the meeting. "The licensees have agreed and the council is very positive," Smith said.

Trade leaders see BBN as an alternative to heavy-handed blanket licence reviews.